"Tell me something, where your boss at?"
♫ Diva by Beyonce.
✰ ✰ ✰
"Alright, listen up you little' punks!"
"Today..." Cherry said, tapping a drumstick she stole from my back pocket against her hand like a scolding mother as she paced in front of Zayn, Niko, Mike, Arthur and I who were lined up on the wall. Like soldiers getting prepared for battle.
"Is the day of all days. Tonight is the night of all nights. Why? Because, say it with me, it is...."
We all very unevenly and sloppily echoed:
"Koiya Belle Blanchard's 20th Barbie Birthday Bash."
Try saying that ten times fast.
"That's right." She smacked the makeshift baton on her hand with every word, eyeing us all with the scorn of a U.S Army General. She even had a pink newsboy hat on and a black prison jumpsuit, ready to get her hands dirty, "Which means, it is not day to fuck around or piss me off, you got that?"
"Yes ma'am."
Niko nudged my shoulder and leaned closer to my ear, whispering, "She couldn't have just said 'birthday party'? What a mouthful, am I right?"
Goosebumps zapped up my spine and I side-eyed him with an awkward laugh, leaning away until he drifted from my close proximity.
"What's wrong with you today?"
"Hey! The talker," Cherry snapped, making me jump and face forward again with my full attention.
I heard Niko sigh and I knew he'd rolled his eyes considering our Party Planner President took a few steps closer, tapping his cheek with the stick, "Do you think this is a joke?"
"No." He kept his mouth sealed shut, fighting off a smirk.
"Yeah. That's what I fuckin' thought." She stepped back and took the clipboard from Kristen that was overflowing with pastel pink shades of paper,
"This is the party for my best friend, people! For our best friend. I have been planning out this surprise for a week behind her back. And not a detail will be forgotten, not one, do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Cherry snapped her eyes toward me, softening her tone, "Harlow, would you be a babe and pass around the flyers?" She smiled, handing me a small stack of pink parchment paper.
I took a step forward and grabbed them, handing one to each boy in the line and then Naomi and Kristen who were sitting on the couch.
Cherry sighed in contentment when I stepped back in line and held her clipboard to her chest, "In your hand, you'll find the invite flyer I posted around town and online to the party tonight at the venue I rented out. It's an old strip club and bar that closed up downtown, and I think it's the perfect place to host the show."
"Moulin Rouge?" Arthur spoke up, "What the hell is a... Moulin Rouge?"
Uncultured swine.
"That's the theme. Think Burlesque meets Circus meets Malibu Barbie DreamHouse." Cherry tossed a hand up, "I'm talking live dancers, live music, aerial acrobat acts and sword swallowing, a stacked bar, catering, the whole shebang."
"I've spent the past seventy-two hours on the phone confirming things for the venue and hiring a bunch of people to decorate the place to look the part. But, you guys still have to help. Which is why you're here right now and not getting ready. And yes, Michael, before you ask, there is a dress code."
Mike tilted his head back with a groan.
"Don't worry, you don't have to wear a corset or stretch your giraffe legs into fishnets, a suit will do for you. But..." She pulled out a piece of paper from her clipboard and handed it to him.
"Your job is to pick the aerial performers up from the studio in the van I rented and bring them to the venue, as well as see to their every need. Whatever they want, give it to them, and I know you're good with construction shit so, make sure they can secure their hoops and things to the ceiling without breaking their necks, okay?"
He nodded in agreement.
"Naomi, you're on catering and bar tending duty with Kristen. Help them unload their trucks when they get there and make sure that they have space in the kitchen to cook and whatnot. There's more details on the paper." She handed them each their own.
"Sick." Kristen laughed, "Open bar."
"Zayn," She handed him his, "I want you to set up security cameras and work with the IT guy I hired to oversee the whole night. I'm airing on the side of caution because it's an open event and... god knows what could happen, but I think it's better to be safe than sorry. The last thing we need is someone showing up with guns or people getting hurt."
"Gotcha." He nodded.
"Niko, I need your big man arms. So, you get to help move furniture around and do all the heavy lifting with the big lights, and the speakers and instruments. You're on décor duty too." She nodded at him.
"Say no more, pretty thang."
"Arthur? You don't know Koi or my friends all that well, but I still want you to come and you get to be my right hand boy." She took his arm and pulled him by her side, "I need you to be my secretary and most of all, make sure I don't miss a single detail. You'll also be handling calls, so, I got you this cute headset." She pulled purple headphones from her back pocket and put them on his ears.
"Not fuckin' fair. What's my job? I deserve to be right hand boy!" I exclaimed, stepping forward with my arms out.
"You, my love, are design deputy. You have the feminine touch I need to help with the venue décor and the dancers outfits and such. I want you to oversee the backstage work and help girls with their hair and get them 'runway' ready. As well as all of us!" She clapped her hands with a smile after handing me my to-do list.
"... Do I get something to wear?" My spirits lifted.
She took her hat off and put it on my head, "Yes, you do."
"Oh yeah," I cackled, "Design Deputy, hoes! You get a corset, and you get a corset, and you get a corset!" I pointed at each boy in line, "We're all wearing spanks and tights, boys, hold onto your fuckin' nuts!" I jump-danced in place, happy with my job.
"Cherry take the job away, take it away, I'm begging you--"
"Aht-aht-aht..." I tutted, tapping my finger against Niko's shoulder, "You just got yourself a wig!--"
Niko clamped a hand over my mouth, "He's a diva, this will only end badly!"
"I'ma, I'ma-a-diva, I'ma, I'ma-a-diva." Beyoncé came to mind and I couldn't help but sing the song, thrusting my hips against his side and pumping my fists, "You're gettin' heels now..."
He rolled his eyes.
"This is the guy you were talking about being so... intimidating? He's like a dancing cupcake. He's wearing a My Little Pony t-shirt." Arthur whispered to Cherry, assuming I couldn't hear.
"Oi," I sized him up, taking several steps forward, "Her name is Twilight Sparkle, motherfucker. This is my daughters t-shirt and I'll still kick your ass, cupcake and all, cause I'm sweet like that--"
"Harlow..." Cherry pressed a finger over my lips, snickering to herself, "Didn't mean anything by it. Relax. You two can both get along. And for the sake of my sanity, you must behave."
She gave me a glance in warning and when she gave the same look to Arthur, I mouthed, 'I'm watching you', behind her back.
Arthur widened his eyes, telling on me.
"Harlow!" Cherry whipped her head back around and spanked me away, "Go, get back in line."
My ass burned and I smirked, stumbling back next to Niko again.
"That goes for all of you boys. Do you hear me? No throwing shit or playing stupid lil' games," She pointed at Mikey, moving down the line to Niko and swatting him upside the head, "No goddamn pranks," Then Zayn, "No being a nosy know it all to the IT tech or hacking into anything," Then me, "And no... fucking... fighting. None."
"...Arthur started it--"
"No fucking fighting!" She yelled in my face, "No shenanigans! This day will be perfect, for our perfect girl and if it doesn't go perfectly, you'll be sleeping in the middle of the road, with nothing but your fishnets and your pride. Again."
"Okay," I squeaked, putting my hands up in surrender, "You're so scary, please officer..."
Cherry sighed, "Now. Koi is out at lunch with her big brother Kameron, the one who lives here in Chicago, she'll be gone celebrating until around three."
"Then, she's going to get her birthday nails done and her hair, all of which have been appointments made by me to ensure the stylists get the theme right and she doesn't end up with yellow nails to match her red dress, cause then the whole night would be ruined and she'd kill herself."
Koi hated color un-coordination. She said that was one of the seven deadly sins.
That and wearing socks with sandals.
I agreed.
"That should keep her busy until about six-ish? I told her to call me when she was finished and I'd take her out to dinner before our 'small house party at my place'," She quoted, "But, we're really kidnapping her to the venue once it's all ready, and the party starts at seven."
"How long has it been since you slept a full nights sleep, Cherry?" Niko asked, "This is... a lot."
"Many days. Many, many, many days." Cherry said, itching her head like an insomniac, "But, it's fine! Because I can sleep when I'm dead. Let's head to the venue! Arthur, Kristen, Naomi, you ride with me."
My body went ice cold, "C-Can't I ride in your trunk and have you drop me off?"
"No time n', I don't have room in my car. Just go with him. I'll see you there," She stopped to give me several kisses, ducking underneath my hat, "I love you. Thank you for doing this for me."
"I love you too." My hand slipped off of her waist and I watched her walk through the front door with everyone else.
"I'll drive, cupcake. Lemme' get my coat and keys," Niko clapped me on the back with a hard smack and drifted past me toward the closet by the door.
Okay, Harlow, you can do this. He's your best friend, and... you may not know how you feel but that doesn't change the fact that you know him. right? Right.
I followed him and grabbed my coat, before heading out of the door and to the garage where my car was parked. We both hopped inside, me in the passengers seat with our to-do list in hand.
"So, can you tell me why you're being so weird now that I have you trapped in the car with me?" Niko said, backing out of the driveway right after Zayn.
Fuck, plan failing.
"I'm fine," I answered with a shrug, playing it off as nonchalantly as I could, "Cool as a cucumber."
That stopped Niko in his tracks, screeching to a stop in the middle of the street, "You're using cheesy similes--what's wrong? Who died?"
"I'm fine! Everything's fine!"
"I've known you since we were kids. I know every face you make, and that," He gestured to my head, "That is your stressed, I'm near the ledge, I'm having a crisis, face. It's the same face you made when you found out that you didn't get to play Juliet in Romeo & Juliet in our year seven play and that your time sewing that dress was wasted. You're lying."
"I'm..." I racked my brain for a reasonable excuse, "Tired?"
He frowned with a sigh and put the car in drive again, seeming reluctant to say what came next, "Is this because of the orgy? Did... did I cross a line or something with Cherry and you're upset? Because I don't have feelings for her or anything, I mean, I love her in a platonic way, but I don't wanna come between you guys. I wouldn't dream of it."
"No." I answered, pinching the bridge of my nose, "The sex isn't the problem, not with Cherry, I-I don't care about that. It was fun, it was fine. Just forget it, okay? I just don't wanna talk about it."
"The sex with Cherry isn't the problem? So, then... you're upset about us fucking?--"
"No! I'm not upset about anything! Drop it, for fucks sake."
"I can't drop it, not when ever since then, you've been acting weird and spacey. You don't wanna talk to me, you don't wanna hang out with me, you will hardly even look at me, and that fucking sucks! You're my best friend. That feels like shit." He looked over at me as he drove, "You owe me better than that, Silver. C'mon."
"Oh, don't Silver me." I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms, looking out of the window.
"I want the truth. I promise, I won't be judgmental or-or overreact, whatever the reason. Come on. I know I've been distant lately, and I know it's hurt your feelings, but I'm here now and I'm trying to fix it, so could you just let me?"
My stomach twisted into a knot. I hated that I couldn't stand to lie to him. That it hurt more than my internal conflict. He was right there, he was my Niko, he was always understanding and fair, and that made me feel even... more. Whatever it was.
"Harlow, p--"
"I think I maybe have feelings for you."
Well, that's one way to start a car wreck.
I didn't look at a Niko or wait for a reply, I just kept talking; my heart racing and my forehead breaking out into a sweat.
"I went to therapy with this new therapist who specializes in people with C-PTSD and we talked about my feelings. You came up. My past with you came up and... it doesn't matter how, or why, but," I gulped.
"She helped me realize that, how I see Cherry is o-often how I see you, and I can't describe the feeling, it's not an in your face feeling, but I-I think it's always sorta been there. Like a buzz in the background. The--the love, for you. In a love kind of way."
"And I know my timing is awful, I know you're over me and I'm with Cherry, who is," I balled up my fist, "the love of my fucking life and I hate that I'm even feeling this right now, I hate myself for it, but I can't ignore it. Not when every time I look at you now, I think of us in bed, o-or you kissing me, or taking care of me."
"I feel like I'm cheating on her when I'm with you or when you look at me and I-I just, I couldn't tell you--"
I cut myself off when the car very leisurely slowed down to a stop in the middle of a suburban street.
And Niko started laughing.
"You-- Niko, are you fucking kidding me? You're laughin' at me?"
"I'm s-sorry," He snorted, resting his head on the steering wheel and letting out the most throaty cackles I'd heard in years, "O-Oh, fuck me.."
"I don't understand why you're laughing. This isn't funny to me at all. I could lose Cherry over this, I could lose you--"
"Ha!" He threw is head back against the seat and held his belly.
"Yeah, okay, this is fine. This feels right. I'm gonna go kill myself," I opened the door and stepped out of it, embarrassment flooding my face and making me cringe. I walked out into the road and laid down in front of the car, raising my thumb with one hand over my eyes to rub away the tingles, "All clear!"
I heard his car door shut and there was a sudden shadow over my face.
"Oh my fuckin' god, Shirley Temple, so dramatic, you are. Get up."
He took my hand off of my eyes and yanked me up to my feet.
"You laughed at me. I told you I had feelings, a-and you laughed! Who does that?"
"I do!" He laughed some more, "Especially when they're so obviously, not real. You're having a crisis because you haven't learned the difference between attraction & a crush, and that, that is fucking hilarious."
"I know the difference, Niko, I'm not twelve anymore, I wouldn't have brought it up if I was just 'attracted to you', I'm not blind--"
"Harlow, ever since you started dating Cherry, you've became a different person. You unlocked that little feelings box you call a heart," He poked my chest, "And you let some love in. You started treating me better, you started taking care of yourself, you started opening up, and you started to do things like take care of other people which, I for one, never thought would happen--"
"Get to your point."
"Sorry." He dragged me over to the edge of the car and he sat down on the hood, "My point is... I just think that for the first time, you're realizing all that we've been through together and... much like I used to, you realized how great of a story it is."
I sank on the hood next to him and furrowed my brows.
"We met when we were kids, you had this crazy, emotional roller coaster relationship with your parents, and so did I, we both found the light in each other. For us to grow up and be together? That's... a helluva fairy-tale. It's romantic, I mean, Cosette coming in between us, then you having a child, then Cherry, and then oh, at the end, we find each other, and realize we were meant to be, all along. It's romantic, but-- it's not real." He shrugged, frowning slightly at me.
"But, I... I feel it--"
"Feel what?" He interrupted.
"I feel," I inhaled sharply through my nose and blinked rapidly, gazing at him, "Home. When I look at you and I think about you, I'm reminded of how much you care for me. How you've always been by my side and took care of me and for fucks sake, our daughter." I gulped, "I think about how shitty I treated you and how fuckin' awful it makes me feel because I love you so much and how could I ever have done that?"
"I see you now and it's like I'm finally seeing you for the first time. I've been selfish and stupid, and a cunt to you for years. When all you've ever wanted was to be with me and love me, and you do! When I'm with you, all I feel is loved, when I'm with you, all I feel is happy--"
"Harlow," He gripped my arm, "That's not love."
I cocked my head back, "It's not?"
"No. I think you're just finally realizing that... you care about me."
"Care?"
"Yes." He chuckled, "All of what you just described, that's not romantic love. That's not a crush on me. That's gratitude. That's guilt for how you treated me. That's... that's you healing and, fuck, apparently just now figuring out that I'm a good person and that I care for you too."
I blinked at him.
"Do you wanna be my boyfriend?"
"No." Even I was surprised at my automatic answer.
"Exactly. I think you're attracted to me for the first time, emotionally. Not just physically. And I think it's fucking with you, especially given the fact that, Cherry is the first person you've ever felt like that with and she's your girlfriend. But, you heard yourself, you know yourself. You don't wanna be with me. Come on."
I reflected internally, never once thinking to ask myself if I even did.
I didn't wanna be with him.
I didn't want to leave Cherry? Ruin what we had? Break her heart and crush her?
I loved her and only her.
My feelings for her were-- more. Intense.
Wrestle her from the arms of a pimp, intense.
Weep in her arms in the middle of the street, intense.
Crawl on the floor and beg for her, intense.
Zip-tie my wrist to hers and wander around New York City, intense.
Crash my bike and get right back up with broken limbs to go see her, intense.
Get matching tattoos, intense.
Get down on one knee and propose to her, intensely in love.
She was my everything, even if he suddenly was too.
What am I even doing?
Niko was right, this wasn't real.
Cheyenne parked my tush on her couch, cut my head open with her therapist scalpel and released a safety deposit box of feelings and memories that I'd even forgot existed.
I was so caught up in realizing that I used to love him in that way, that I forgot the feelings weren't... really there.
Once upon a time, I did want him.
Fuck, I think I really did.
Once upon a time, I was too stubborn to admit it and I did feel the way he felt for me.
But, I was stuck in the past and now, is now.
That stupid song was right: I can see clearly now the rain is gone.
"If you loved me like that, you'd know. You'd be sure. And better yet, I would..." Niko tapped his head with two fingers and gave me a solemn knowing glare.
My shoulders sank and I felt a wave of clarity wash over me, racking me with even more questions for Cheyenne and for myself, "Oh, shit. I think you're right..."
"It's easy to get caught up in the past. Believe me, I'm... I'm still learning." He slid his hand off my arm.
"Fuck. I'm sorry." I apologized, "I'm doing it again, I'm toying with you, I'm makin' you fix me--"
"No. It's okay. I'm alright. Just-- next time you think you're in love with me, be sure," He snorted, nudging me with his shoulder, "In the mean time, keep working out your feelings and if you need to talk, Cherry's here, I'm here. I always have been, you said so yourself."
"I will, "I rested my head on his shoulder, taking the world's biggest deep breath, "And I hope this doesn't sound rude but I'm really glad I'm not in love with you."
"I'm really glad you're not in love with me too." He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and rubbed my arm, "Can we give me a round of applause though? I've never fucked someone into a relationship crisis. This is goin' in my spank bank."
"And... there it is. You're a dick." I hopped off the hood, "Let's go. Before Cherry calls me and I get demoted to napkin duty."
"Got yourself a dedicated woman, eh?" He laughed, following in my footsteps by hopping off the car, "You know, it's a good thing that you came to your senses, 'cause if you don't marry that girl, I'm gonna be pissed."
I smiled slightly, holding my car door open and looking at him over the roof, "Me too. I'm lucky I've got her. I've never met a girl so sweet in my life..."
⭑The Venue ⭑
"No! No! No! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! I told you to put the Lilies and the Sunflowers in the Red Wine tinted vases. Does this look like fucking Red Wine?! Huh? No? That's because it's not Red Wine, these vases are Bright Blue! Do you see an ounce of Bright Blue anywhere in this room? No! And that's because the theme is Burlesque. It's romance, it's sex, it's diamonds, this is not Long John Silver's, so--fix it now, or I will dangle your balls from the power lines outside like a pair of sneakers!"
The second Niko and I parked outside the luxurious venue, we could hear the commotion inside.
We could see the look of annoyance on workers' faces as they walked out of the buildings with rejected furniture pieces.
And we could smell the fear in the air.
When we got inside, all we saw was a beautiful creation, handmade and put together by Cherry herself.
The first thing you saw when you walked in was the giant Burlesque stage lights that spelled 'Happy Birthday Koiya.' They were being hung up in front of large red curtains with an empty, shiny black stage waiting to be filled with instruments.
There was a stacked bar being loaded with drinks and the delicious scent of cooked spices in the air.
There were round tables everywhere with feathered centerpieces and place-mats with party favors. There was a grand chandelier in front of the biggest one in the middle, with a throne like seat for the birthday girl herself.
There was gorgeously dressed circus performers running about to test the durability of the floors and structures. All with their shiny rings and knives and jewelry, ready to go.
And there were so many other things we hadn't even seen yet.
But, she was all wrath.
I felt awful for the vase man and if I had qualms about someone's attitude, that was when you knew it was bad.
"Fix it. Please."
"Cherry-baby," I called out to her and walked deeper inside, earning her attention when she whipped her head around with a look of frustration. "What the hell is going on? We can hear you from the parking lot--"
"What's going on? Everything's wrong, that's what's going on!" She exclaimed, her hair a frazzled mess, "The dancers I hired are stuck behind a freakin' bus crash. The photo booth I ordered, that I thought was going to arrive early this morning, isn't here and the guy won't call me back. The flower guy set out blue vases instead of red. The Birthday Cake was delivered with a tier smushed like a flat tire. The bathroom doors are locked for some reason and if I can't get them open then we can't decorate them or let people pee in them. The stage hasn't been fully set up--do I still need to go on!"
"Okay, slow down--"
"I can't!" She argued, "This has to be perfect. You don't understand, no one understands--"
"Cherry, breathe!" I put my hands on both sides of her face and held it still, "Stop, for fucks sake."
"I'll go unload the band van and help." Niko patted my back in what I could only assume was 'good luck'.
"You need to calm down, you need to take a break. You're stressing yourself out."
"I can't. There's too much to do!" She whined.
"Where're the dressing rooms?"
"Backstage, why?"
"You're taking a break with me." I took her hand and began to weave my way through the tables and chairs, ducking under men lugging around fancy sculptures and décor.
"Harlow, I said I can't take--"
I turned around and hi-jacked her clipboard, tossing it across the room.
"Ow!"
"Let's go." I continued on, despite her look of anger and hopped onto the stage, whipping open the curtain. There was a large, open room with performers and people walking in all directions, but I followed the sign to the dressing rooms and found an empty one, lugging her inside.
The only thing in it was a couch, and a built in vanity desk with a mirror.
"Harlow. I'm serious. I need to go back."
"Harlow, I'm serious, I need to go back. Oh, please. They could use some time without you barking orders in their face, Admiral Ass," I walked to the couch and tore off her Bluetooth headphones that connected her to Arthur.
"Hey, I need that--"
"Not right now you don't." I tossed them onto the desk stole her phone, shoving it into my back pocket. I plopped down onto the couch with wide spread legs and put my hands out, wiggling my fingers, "Come cuddle. C'mon."
Her shoulders fell in defeat and she sighed, slugging her body weight on me to take a seat on my lap in a straddling position.
"Oh, don't look so miserable about it." I teased, taking off my deputy hat and putting it on backward to kiss her cheek, "Can I get a kiss or do I have to steal one?"
"I'm not in the mood for kisses." She pushed my face away.
I gasped, "Alice Mariposa Anderson. How dare you? Take that back."
"No. Because like I said, I'm serious. No one else thinks this is serious. No one else is taking me seriously and..." She tossed her hand up, "I need this to be perfect for her."
"Cher. You know Koiya loves you..." I mumbled, rubbing my thumb against her cheek, "You know she'll love anything you plan and the place looks gorgeous already. Why are you still freaking out?"
"Because it's not enough!" She expressed, shaking her head, "I spent my entire childhood wishing for a best friend like her. For a person to go shopping with. To laugh with. To have sleepovers with. I spent so much time wishing for a friend at all-- and Koi? She's the first person who ever looked at me and didn't see someone pathetic. She's the first person, the first real, girl friend that I've ever had. She walked right up to me at that party and made me feel like... like I mattered. She changed my life, she saved it. In more ways than one."
I frowned watching her so emotional.
"To be able to give her a birthday present this grand and dramatic is all I wanna do because it's what she deserves. She deserves to feel like a million bucks, she deserves to feel like the star of the show, she deserves pearls and champagne and dancers and red vases to match her roses. All I want is for her to feel appreciated and... if she's not, then..."
"Then what? Don't tell me you think she'll actually dump you."
"She's the first best friend I've ever had," She frowned, her eyes watering, "I don't want her to change her mind like all the rest."
My mouth actually fell open, I was so surprised by her out pour of emotions.
I nearly laughed at her audacious thinking.
"Cher, what you've done today is more than I think anyone's ever done for Koi. This is more than anyone's done, fucking... ever. And for you to think that her love for you is measured by fancy lights and vases, is ridiculous. She's not going anywhere," I hugged her close and she wrapped her arms 'round my neck, allowing me to rub my hands up her back.
"I just love her so much. I want her to have fun."
"Well, she can't do that if you pile up stinky dead bodies in the kitchen, Miss 'I'll hang your balls from the power lines.'" I laughed, kissing her cheek and rocking us back and forth.
"My period is on the horizon, I'm PMSing, I get a demon possessed pussy pass."
"Well, then we've gotta' get an exorcism goin' in this bitch because if you keep yelling at everyone," I reared my head back to look at her, "They're gonna quit and maybe, just maybe, sue for pain and suffering."
"Crap, I was so mean to the florist." She whimpered, palming a hand over her eyes.
"Hey, it's okay, we'll fix it, alright? I'm your design deputy, I'm here now and it's my turn to be the big, bad bitchy boss, and I can help. Let me help."
"Can I cuss out the photo booth guy before you take over?"
"If you let me borrow a kiss."
"Borrow?"
"Yeah, I'll give it back later." I nudged my nose against hers and she scrunched hers up, accepting it with a giggly laugh.
Sometimes, in moments like those, I felt transported back to when we first met and I got a glimpse of the person she used to be. The shy, reserved, squeamish at the mention of a kiss, Alice. And it made me feel like I was doing right by her. Like, I was able to travel back in time and rather than call her a name, give her a kiss, a hug, and a smack on the ass for being so... un-apologetically her.
She was a complicated, freakish girl. She was a ten sided dice.
But, I loved her all the same and better for it.
"Alright. Let's get this how on the road, huh?" I raised my hands and she high-fived me.
I turned my cap back round' and we marched right out to the main room, busy bodies and movement everywhere.
And from then on, it was chaotic order.
Both Cherry and I handled different aspects of things.
I slipped the florist a couple fifties and he forgot about the whole yelling incident, happily skipping his way out of the venue after replacing all the vases--while Cherry, yelled at the photo booth guy when he arrived and got the charge knocked down to half price for her troubles.
Niko got the band set up with the help of a moving crew the size of The Hulk, while Kristen and Naomi helped in the kitchen with the smushed cake. I was four tier, red velvet, decorated with edible glitter, pearls and diamonds that I knew Koi would scream for when she saw it.
I snatched a bobby pin from Kristen and a small screwdriver from a mover, and was able to pop open the bathroom doors, much to Cherry's happiness.
Niko even drove out to where Mikey was and snagged the dancers and they made it there in time, Mike following about thirty minutes later.
By 6:00, we had dancers, we had a working bar, working bathrooms, even more decorations up and a practicing band to play for the people who were beginning to line up outside the door in their fancy dresses and suits.
The only thing left to do was get ready ourselves.
Arthur managed the dance hall while I took all of my barbie's backstage to make them over.
"Alright, It is T-Minus sixty minutes until the party begins and our Koiya arrives, which means... until 6:45, I get to play," I said deviously, waving around the whip I found in our big box of costumes, "My lovely girlfriend did us all a favor and went to several stores, buying up all the corsets, dresses, skirts, blouses and gloves I needed to doll you guys up. So--boys, these are your options."
I pointed toward one outfit I had hung up against a coat rack. "Option A: A full corset, thigh high stockings, garters and a top hat. Option B: Slacks, a button up, a waist corset, and an optional blazer. Or, Option C: A plain old black, brown or red suit with suspenders and a feather fedora to spice it up, which is the most boring of all three, if you ask me. Boo, boo, boo, extra boo for you, if you choose option C, just so you know. Now, option A, can I get a show of hands."
Niko began to whistle. Mikey kept his head down. And Zayn gave me a silent 'not my style.'
"Option B?" I deadpanned, rolling my eyes.
"I'll go option B." Zayn shrugged.
"You gorgeous, gorgeous man! Muah!" I kissed him on the cheek when he came close and then snagged the outfit in his size and stuffed it in his arms, sending him off to the line again.
"Niko...?" I teetered back and forth on my feet.
"You're gonna cry unless I wear the damn waist corset aren't you?"
I pouted out my bottom lip, "It's only my biggest dream."
He ran a hand down his face and tilted his head back with a grunt, "This one time and never again--"
"Yes!" I screamed, ripping the clothes off of the rack and throwing them at him, eager to see him change. He caught each one as they flew in all directions and then walked away to a dressing room, a button up still stuck to his face messily.
"Come out when you're done and I'll do your make up!"
"I'm not wearing a full face, Harlow!"
"We'll see about that..." I muttered under my breath, taking the last option off of the rack and holding it out with a bored look, "Well, Mikey, that leaves you little brother. But, I couldn't have asked for more considering you have the fashion sense of a lamp, so, enjoy your boring feather fedora and your un-snatched waist."
"I'll let you put me in some blush and lipstick to make up for it." He stepped forward and snagged the clothes.
"Bless your broken boring soul." I held a hand against my chest and sent him on his way with a ruffle of his hair, "Ya' jackass..."
"Okay, enough about the boring skin bags we call our boyfriends, what about us?" Kristen clapped her hands excitedly, "Please tell me you got me--"
"All white? I'm ten steps ahead of you. White lace, white corset, white stockings, and pearls--"
"Yes, yes, yes! I've never loved you more than I do in this moment, gimme' gimme!" She made my way in happy hops and I handed her everything as fast as I could, tossing a lost, lacy glove her way when she got too excited to stay for any longer.
"And me?" Naomi quirked an eyebrow.
"How's red and gold sound?"
"Hot as fuck."
"You took the words right outta' my mouth," I picked up a tight, leather, red corset and miniskirt with gold, lacy decals and a matching choker and handed it to her. She wandered away with one last word from me, "Don't forget to push your boobs up!"
"I know how to be a woman Harlow, but thank you for reminding me."
"You're welcome!" I called after her.
"Ahem." Cherry cleared her throat, bouncing on the tips on her toes.
"Mm. Eager, are we?" I hummed, stuffing my hands into my butt pockets as I walked closer.
"Can you just tell me what I get?" Her eyes were full of hope, "Is it red like Naomi's? Do I get pearls too?"
"Not quite..." I sank my teeth into my bottom lip and slid my hand into hers, leading us out of the main dressing space to the private room we were in earlier.
And inside, laying on the vanity table was an all black set. A tight, curve hugging, leather corset with thigh high lacy garters and long, satin gloves that would slip up to her elbows. The ridges, floral indents and details engraved in the corset were a shimmering, deep red; making it shine with every movement. It was tight, sleek, sexy and dark. Perfect for a night out drinking, dancing, and fucking.
"Shut your face," Cherry gasped, standing above the outfit with her hands pressed against her warm cheeks.
I traipsed my fingers along the diamond choker to match that was laid out in the corner while I kissed her ear, "You know I've always wanted to see you in something like this. Tonights' my opportunity to doll you up how I want."
"I love it..." Her eyes caught onto the necklace when I picked it up and brought it to her collarbones, clasping it around her neck. It fit snug, perfectly made to glisten against her tanned skin. She brushed her fingers down the jewels and then looked down at the desk, picking up an accessory crop, "And what's this for?"
"For the after party." I hummed, kissing her neck in light, peppered pecks.
" I didn't know there was an after party."
"That's because it's a surprise, " I eyed her through the mirror, "But, don't worry, it's one I think you'll like."
"M'kay. Can you at least tell me what you'll be wearing during this surprise?"
"That's a surprise too."
"You're just full of 'em tonight, aren't you?" She smiled.
Oh, Cherry-love, you have no fucking idea.
***